DIY Maintenance Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Always Plumbing & Heating

Getting Your Home Ready for Winter

Ensuring that your home is protected against the frigid winter weather will help avoid structural damage and keep utilities in check. The professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating are experts in fall maintenance and have advised hundreds of Edmonton homeowners on simple, essential procedures they can perform on their own. Follow the checklist below and enjoy a safe and worry-free winter!

Interior Maintenance

1. Assess attic insulation. Keep your heating costs in check and make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic. You should have at least 12 inches of insulation to maximize heat retention.

2. Replace your furnace filter. To ensure your furnace runs smoothly and efficiently all winter long, you need to change your filter to ensure it is free of dust and debris. A dirty filter will make your furnace work harder and drive up your energy bills. You should change your filter at least every 3 months, but in the winter you should check it more frequently and change it if it is dirty.

3. Check your weather stripping. To reduce heat loss, replace torn or worn weather stripping around your doors and windows.

Exterior Maintenance

1. Winterize your hose bibs. Water left in your hose bibs can cause the pipes to freeze, crack, and lead to a subsequent flood in your basement. Read how to winterize your hose bibs.

2. Clean your gutters. Once the trees lose their leaves this fall, your gutters are likely to become clogged with debris. Prepare for fall rain and winter snow by removing the leaves from your gutters. This will ensure they are able to properly drain in the spring.

3. Winterize your air conditioner. Clean off your air conditioner of debris, turn the power off to the unit, and place a cover over your AC. Read more on winterizing your air conditioner.

Fall DIY maintenance is key in keeping your home safe from all the pitfalls of a traditional Edmonton winter. Take a weekend to go through this checklist and make the repairs and improvements necessary for maximum security and energy-efficiency. Remember that the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating can help if you need professional heating maintenance or any plumbing or HVAC related needs throughout the fall.

Shutting Down Your Air Conditioner for Winter

As the temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches, it’s time to start thinking about shutting down your air conditioning unit for the season. Turning off your AC correctly can help you save money on energy costs and make sure that your unit is ready to go when warmer weather returns. With a few simple steps, you can properly shut down your AC system for the winter months ahead.

6 Easy Steps To Shut Down Your AC For Winter

Follow these steps to turn off your air conditioner for the season and prepare for the winter months:

Turn off cooling mode on your thermostat. On your thermostat turn off cooling. If you have a smart thermostat such as ecoBee or Nest, you can turn off cooling mode or the cooling system directly from your smartphone.
Turn off the air conditioning power – Find the central air conditioning circuit near the AC and turn the switch off. You can also turn the breaker off to the AC in your breaker box.
Replace the air filter. Air conditioners have filters in them that can become clogged up with pollen, dust, dirt and grime. The filters are to prevent these airborne particles from entering your home and improve your air quality when your AC is running. You should change this filter at least every 3 months while you are using your AC. As a good rule of thumb, replacing it at the end of the cooling season will prevent you from needing to do so in the Spring when you turn the unit back on.
Wash the outdoor condenser. On a warm fall day, use a garden hose to completely wash away any debris, leaves, and grass from your air conditioner. It is important to remove this debris so it doesn’t work its way into the central AC for the winter days. Don’t do this when it is below freezing out. Allow it to completely dry before putting the cover on.
Inspect the condenser and pipes. Check for cracks, rust, leaks, and other signs of damage. If you see any corrosion, it is important to have it professionally repaired before winter. Harsh weather can worsen the damages and cause a more costly repair next Spring.
Place a waterproof cover on the outdoor unit. If we installed your central air conditioner, you would have been given an option to add a custom cover to your purchase. If you do not have a cover, you can still call Always Plumbing & Heating to order one that is custom to your air conditioner unit. If you wish to shop around, be sure to choose an insulated, waterproof piece that completely covers the whole unit. Ensure the cover is tightly secured with bungee cords to prevent it from blowing away in the harsh winter winds.

Many of these tasks are things homeowners can do themselves to prepare their AC for winter.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating to Get your Air Conditioner Ready for Winter

If you notice any damage on your air conditioner or need to order an AC cover, you can rely on us here at Always Plumbing & Heating. Our team of skilled HVAC professionals is happy to answer any questions you may have about Air Conditioner maintenance and repairs.

Winterizing Your Cabin Or Camper Trailer

After Thanksgiving, it is usually time to close down your seasonal cabin, trailer or vacation house for the winter. One of the biggest issues is preventing your pipes from freezing during the off-season, which is a very common problem.

You should partially winterize any time the residence is not used full-time or when it will be left unoccupied for long stretches. You should completely winterize your seasonal cabin or trailer after Thanksgiving (or sooner if the weather is below freezing!) and continue until the middle of spring.

How to Winterize Your Cabin

You will need to go through a few steps to winterize your cabin or trailer. If you will not be parking a trailer in a covered, warm space, do follow these winterizing tips:

Water Heater – Drain the water from your hot water tank using the drain valve located at the bottom of the tank. Attach a garden hose to the valve and drain it into the nearest drain or outside. Turn the breaker off to the tank or turn off the gas valve, or both, depending on whether your tank is electric or gas.

Water Lines – Find the water supply lines for your cabin where they come into the foundation. These are typically copper or PVC lines coming from the ground. Locate the shutoff valve to these lines and turn off all water.

Faucets – Once the water is turned off, locate the lowest faucet on the property (preferably one on the exterior). Open that faucet and leave it open. If you do not have an exterior faucet, find a faucet at the lowest elevation point inside the cabin and turn it on.

Remove Water – Next, go through the cabin and turn every faucet to the on position and flush every toilet. This will eliminate as much water as possible from the system.

Antifreeze – Next, pour antifreeze into every drain of the cabin, including showers, sinks, and toilets. For RVs, you can use RV antifreeze, but for cabins, you must use regular antifreeze. RV antifreeze is diluted for water tanks.

Dishwasher – Close the dishwasher (if applicable) and let it run for a few seconds to pull any water from inside the supply lines. This will activate the solenoid for the dishwasher and prevent it from freezing or breaking during the winter.

Even when you follow all of these steps, you may not get all of the water drained from your cabin’s pipes. If you experience any breakage or pipe issues, Always Plumbing & Heating will be there to help.

DIY Sump Pump Maintenance

Your homes’ sump pump is one of the most important parts of your home plumbing fixtures in flood prevention. Sump pumps are designed to keep basements from flooding when the water table is higher than your homes’ foundation, particularly in times during large rainfall or after large snowmelt. Edmonton and area commonly receive large volumes of rain, not just in Spring, but in Summer, and sometimes into Fall. In addition to that, with the first snowmelt each the Spring, your sump pump will kick into full gear. Most, but not all, homes in Edmonton and area will be equipped with at least one sump pump, usually found in your basement utility room. With this knowledge at hand, it is prudent that homeowners pay close attention to the functioning of their sump pumps to ensure that their homes will be kept safe from water damage. There are several steps that homeowners can take to ensure their sump pump is optimally functional.

Do It Yourself Sump Pump Maintenance

Check the Sump Pump for Debris

To check the sump pump for debris, shine a flashlight into the pit that the pump is located, looking for sediment or other contaminants. Remove any debris as it will affect the performance of the pump. You can do this using a slotted spoon, or for smaller sediment, a kitchen sieve with very small holes in it. It is ideal to do this at least every Spring.

Inspect the Sump Pump Check Valve

Also referred to as a one-way valve, this valve ensures that water doesn’t re-enter the sump pump once it shuts off. The valve prevents backflow of water that it has already pumped out, thus making the device a one-way flow system. Check the valve on the water outlet pipe, and ensure the arrow is pointing away from the sump pump.

Sump Pump Routine Cleaning

Clean out both the relief hole and the impeller. To locate the relief hole, find the small opening between the sump pump discharge and the check valve. It can be cleaned using a cotton swab or a toothbrush. The impeller is the filtering mechanism attached to the sump pump. This can get clogged very easily and it should be routinely cleaned, at least monthly, or more often during times of heavy usage.

Test Your Sump Pump

Fill a large bucket with 3 gallons of water and pour it into the sump pump pit. The pump should start automatically, draining the water out of the pit. Try this twice consecutively to ensure the pump is in working order.

Back-up Power Source for Sump Pump

Because the sump pump is powered by electricity, it is important to ensure that your pump has a backup power source. Most power outages happen during major storms, which subsequently is when most basement flooding occurs. If your sump pump doesn’t have a backup power source and your home experiences a power outage during heavy rainfall, your sump pump will not function and the water has nowhere to go but into your home. Install a backup battery on your sump pump to provide you peace of mind protection in this instance.

Redundant System

A redundant system is a backup sump pump. Many homes have both a primary pump as well as a secondary backup pump. Having an emergency backup sump pump will provide the best protection against flooding.

Sump Pump Failure Alarm

Last but not least, a wifi powered sump pump alarm is a must for the homeowner who wants true optimal peace of mind surrounding their homes sump pump system.

Make sure that your home is kept free from flooding and water damage. Check and maintain your sump pump annually to keep it clean and running efficiently. You’ll also want to make sure that it is serviced by a professional at least once a year before the summer or fall. Remember that Always Plumbing & Heating can help you with all of your sump pump repairs. If it is determined that your system is due to be replaced, our skilled plumbers will provide you with options for any and all of the devices listed above, or full integrated smart systems that contain both a primary and backup pump with Wifi remote monitoring.

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Edmonton Home

Springtime in Edmonton doesn’t usually carry a connotation of much more than slightly warmer temperatures and perhaps a greater increase in rainfall, but it’s a welcome sight after another harsh winter. With the arrival of spring, however mild it may be, comes some routine home maintenance you can perform just to ensure the things you might not have been able to attend to during winter receives some much-needed upkeep and attention.

There’s more to spring maintenance than just running a vacuum through the interior or throwing out your extra clothes. Your home has been exposed to the elements for a few months now, and that weather might have done a number on the roof and siding, for instance. The folks at Always Plumbing & Heating feel your pain, and we’re happy to run through a checklist of a few ways you can fix up your home in time for spring.

Exterior

Do a walk-around of the siding, and run a pressure-washer on any dirty spots you might encounter. Also, check any wood that might’ve been exposed over the winter for potential damage. Keep going around the perimeter of the house — does the deck or patio need to be repaired or treated?
When it’s safe, find a way to examine the shingles on your roof. Shingles may have been warped or damaged, or they might’ve been removed altogether.
Sticking close to the roof here – take a look at the gutters and downspouts. Remove any debris that could’ve gotten clogged there and run some water through it all to double-check its drainage capabilities.
Make sure your windows aren’t damaged. Are there holes, are they dirty, or are there broken or loose frames? Depending on where your home is located, the precipitation might’ve caused some serious harm.
Inspect the outdoor faucets and see if they’ve frozen or been damaged after being exposed to the cold weather and snow.

Landscaping

While you were hunkered down inside, curled up by the fire, the vegetation outside has had time to grow without interruption (for the most part). If trees or other plant life live in close proximity, they might’ve crept closer and need to be cut back – especially if they’re impeding the radiator or another critical piece of machinery.
It’s almost grass-cutting season! Give the lawnmower a fresh oil change and sharpen the blades if possible.

Interior

Are your smoke detectors’ batteries charged and operational? Routine testing is something homeowners forget fairly easily, and the importance of having functional smoke detectors can’t be understated.
Vacuum your refrigerator’s coils and clean them off. It’ll improve efficiency and keep it from going into overdrive to keep food cool.
Depending on how much work your HVAC unit went through to keep you comfortable over the last few months, there’s a chance it might need servicing. It deserves a reward after working so hard!
Of course, there’s still the stereotypical Spring Cleaning to take care of. With all the other tasks to take care of, regular old cleaning can get thrown to the wayside. It’s still important, though, and you’ll be glad you did it when the time comes.

This isn’t meant to be a one-size-fits-all list of things to do to your home. Every situation is different, and some homes’ features differ wildly from others. This was meant more to give you a basic idea of the types of things to be on the lookout for as we make the transition to a new season. Of course, should you run into any more serious problems, the professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating would love to help you out. We offer a variety of services to best suit your needs, so give us a call at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253!

Essential Gas Furnace Safety Tips To Stay Safe For Mid-Winter

As we find ourselves in the midst of the coldest winter months, many of us rely on our natural gas furnaces to help keep our families safe, warm and cozy. While this heating system is a dependable way to heat our homes, there are some simple precautions you can follow to keep every furnace operating safely and correctly with maximum efficiency. Precautions that can also help to avoid potential future issues in your home that can be dangerous and expensive to repair. Check out our easy furnace safety tips below:

Furnace Safety Tip #1 – Inspect Or Change Your Air Filter

It’s important to regularly change out your furnace air filter. A clean furnace air filter helps your furnace work with greater airflow efficiency and prevents the circulation of dust in your home. Dirty furnace filters cause all kinds of problems that are totally preventable, including efficiency, safety and performance issues that can ultimately end in furnace failure. Change your filter every 1-3 months during the winter when your furnace is getting the most use.

Tip #2 – Keep The Surrounding Area Clear Around The Gas Furnace

To minimize the chance of a fire and make sure your furnace is safe for use, keep the areas around your furnace free of clutter. Flammable items like paper, rags, wood scraps, and other flammable liquids should always be kept at a distance and never placed near the furnace.

Tip #3 – Have Your Annual Furnace Maintenance

Have your furnace inspected every year by one of our professional HVAC technicians at Always Plumbing & Heating. An annual check-up to your furnace is vital to ensure your system is working correctly, efficiently and safely. During an annual inspection, our professional and licensed technicians will check for other potential issues like carbon monoxide leaks or issues that could lead to a safety hazard.

Tip #4 – Check Carbon Monoxide Detectors For Gas Leaks

One of the biggest threats to your home and furnace is a carbon monoxide leak. A colorless, odorless gas, you cannot detect high levels on its own. Carbon monoxide can cause flu-like symptoms, confusion and in high-levels even death. Your annual inspection will ensure you don’t have dangerous carbon monoxide levels in your home.

Call us today at Always Plumbing & Heating for all your furnace needs. Our technicians are always available to perform your annual furnace inspection, and also help with any furnace repairs you need right away. We provide 24/7 outstanding service all 52 weeks of the year. If you are having an issue with your furnace, call us today and we will immediately dispatch a technician to your home – even on holidays! All of our repairs are backed by 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee, but you can rest assured our furnace installations and repairs will be done right the first time. Call us today at 780-489-8118.

Winter Boiler Maintenance

It’s winter in Edmonton officially making it your boiler’s busiest time of the year. Boilers offer many heating advantages. They are energy efficient, they can last up to 25 years, and they heat the house more evenly (than a traditional furnace). The downside to having a boiler is that they can be very costly to replace. The good news is that, with proper maintenance, a boiler can last up to twice as long as other heating systems. This winter, use these winter boiler maintenance tips to increase your boiler’s efficiency and extend its life.

Check and clean boiler filters monthly.

Boiler air filters should be free of anything that can block the heat. Make sure no dirt or dust has built up in the filter, causing the system to overwork and become inefficient.

Each month, check for a blue flame.

If your boiler has a yellow flame, or no flame, it indicates a possible problem. Call a professional immediately to avoid losing heat or bigger boiler problems.

Insulate your pipes.

Insulating your pipes will not only prevent them from freezing, but it will reduce the risk of your boiler’s condensate pipes freezing as well. Once your boiler’s condensate pipes have frozen they can be difficult to thaw and lead to boilers breaking down.

Learn how your boiler works.

Become familiar with your boiler’s owner’s manual. Knowing how it works will help you spot the warning signs of a problem. Understanding a brief history of boilers and how they work can also be of value.

Regularly check for cracks, holes, or other signs of water leaks.

If you notice any signs of leaks or water coming from your boiler, contact a professional to have it repaired immediately.

Check the pressure gauge.

Consult the owner’s manual for the proper pressure gauge and check when your boiler is at operating temperature. If the pressure is too high, turn off the boiler and contact a professional immediately. Too much internal pressure can cause the boiler to rupture or explode.

Having your boiler out of operation in the winter in Edmonton is not an option. If you suspect your boiler is not working properly, always call a professional for a diagnosis first. At Always Plumbing & Heating, we provide affordable maintenance and repair services to help extend the lifespan of your boiler. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

Fall Child Safety for Edmonton Homes

Edmonton homes preparing for the transitional weather season have a long list of maintenance concerns. Always Plumbing & Heating has already covered fall heater, sump pump and DIY home maintenance solutions. Ensuring that your HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems are ready for the harsh winter is part of being a conscientious homeowner. Sleet, snow and freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on homes and businesses; damaging and even destroying pipes and HVAC systems not properly secured. In addition to those maintenance issues, households with young children will also want to add some safety measures to their fall to-do list. Our home service experts have compiled a list of common issues that will help keep your children (and household) safe throughout the winter.

Secure Floor Air Vents

Metal HVAC registers that are located on the floor can sometimes be a safety hazard for small children. They can cut or trip themselves on the grates, which are positioned in open areas for maximum air flow. Small children also like to throw toys and other things down vent if it can be easily opened. Consider replacing your metal air vents with plastic designs that can be screwed into the floor that are not as sharp. You can also find designs that come with screens so that bugs can’t come through the grilles (and children can’t force objects inside).

AC Window Unit Safety

If you have window units in your home, make sure that they are secure and not easily accessible to your children. Keep furniture that might allow kids access away from the unit (this includes sofas, desks and chairs they might climb on). If your window unit is installed in a first floor window, childproof any sharp corners to keep kids from hurting themselves.

Secure the Outdoor Unit

If you have a central air system, the outdoor component of your air conditioning is called the condenser. This unit houses the compressor and fans and the size and shape can be very attractive to children. The sharp edges and connected cables can be very dangerous, so keeping kids away from it is important. Consider securing it with a small fence or shrubs to ensure it is not easily accessible to children. Keep in mind that a condenser needs at least three feet of space around the perimeter.

Keep Thermostat Remotes out of Reach

Children should not have access to the central air thermostat. Unfortunately, technology has made it easier for anyone in the household to get their hands on a remote. Try to keep the remote in a place not easily accessible – and lock them out of smart phone and computer apps that offer digital remote control.

Allergies

If your kids suffer from indoor allergies that seem to coincide with running your central air system, you might need to clean the air filter. When the filter gets dirty, it can no longer clean the air of contaminants – it will also keep your system from running efficiently.

Water Temperature

Be mindful of the water temperature when giving children a bath – or a washing of any kind. In most Canadian homes, the water heater is set at 60 C, which can cause third-degree burns in most adults. To prevent scalding, there have been some injury prevention advocates that have suggested lowering the temperature to 49 C. However, the lower temperature increases the risk of bacteria contamination. The best route to ensure the safety of your kids and household is to keep the temperature at 60 C and take basic precautions suggested by the Canada Safety Council:

Never leave a child alone while filling a tub with water.
Always check the tub temperature before placing a child in the tub.
Turn on the cold tap first and then slowly add hot water until the temperature is at a comfortable level.
Teach your kids to always turn on the cold water first – and turn off the hot water first.

Supervision

Never leave a young child alone in the bathroom. A child can drown in less than 6 centimeters of water, which makes the bathroom a potentially dangerous area for children. If your child is a toddler and just learning to walk, consider installing toilet lid locks to keep them from getting into the commode water.

House Education

A great way to keep your kids safe at home is to educate them on the various systems that are essential to everyday life. Show them all the components to your HVAC and explain how it works. Take them to some of the exposed plumbing throughout the house and explain how the water is heated and distributed. A little knowledge can help keep inquisitive minds away from common household dangers.

Keeping your kids safe during the fall and winter should be a high priority when working on home maintenance endeavors. If you need professional help with any of the tips provided in this blog, contact us today. Our experts can assist with any HVAC or plumbing-related service. Call 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Ft. McMurray) to schedule an appointment.

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Fall DIY Maintenance for Edmonton Homes

With the new Edmonton school year just a few weeks away, it’s time for area households to begin thinking about fall DIY maintenance. While it will be another couple of months before the temperatures dictate turning on the heat, it’s always a good practice to get the home ready ahead of the seasonal shift. Ensuring that your home is protected against the frigid winter weather will help avoid structural damage and keep utilities in check. The professionals at Always Plumbing & Heating are experts on fall maintenance and have advised hundreds of Edmonton homeowners on simple, essential procedures they can perform on their own. Follow the checklist below and enjoy a safe and worry-free winter!

Exterior Maintenance:

Clean Gutters
Prepare for the fall rain and make sure that your gutters are free from leaves and debris. Clogged gutters can divert the rain onto the surrounding foundation and cause severe damage. Wear gloves and remove the debris by hand, placing all of it in a trash bag. After you have thoroughly cleaned the gutters, take a hose and run water through it to ensure there is no hidden blockage.

Check Roof for Cracks
Over the summer, weather, trees and rodents can wreak havoc on your roof. A heavy rainstorm or hail can tear shingles – and break tree limbs that can inflict additional damage. Wood shingles can split, ceramic shingles can chip and asphalt, the most common shingle material, can curl and blister. Rodents will sometimes attempt to burrow into homes through the roof, destroying large areas in the process. Climb up on the roof and assess the shingles for any damage that may have occurred over the summer. Repair any damaged shingles/areas that you find; most simple shingle repairs will only require roofing cement and aluminum flashing. If you are experiencing pervasive leaks, a licensed roofer should be contacted.

Repair Cracks in the Exterior
Asses the exterior of your home and check for any cracks that may have manifested over the summer. Repairing cracks, no matter how small, will help to better insulate your home in the winter and keep bugs from infiltrating your home. Be mindful of loose or disintegrating brick, rotted wood, damaged siding and other common problems. Mortar or cement is best for repairing damaged brick areas. Rotted wood will require complete replacement. Caulk is a great fix for small cracks around window frames, exhaust grilles and air intake. It can also help with siding cracks and areas where the siding may have receded from the roof or foundation.

Clean Out A/C Condenser
When you have officially stopped using your air conditioning system, clean out your condenser unit. Leaves, twigs, grass and other debris can build up in both the interior and exterior over the summer. Trim back bushes or trees that are too close to the unit (there should at least three feet of space around the condenser at all times). Before you cover it for the winter, make sure that it is free from the clutter that can compromise both the efficiency and longevity. Remember to switch off the power (or shut down the circuit) before cleaning the inside of the unit.

Interior Maintenance:

Assess Attic Insulation
A good way to keep heating costs in check over the winter is to make sure that there is ample insulation in the attic. In order to maximize the heat, there should be at least 12 inches (30.48 cm). An easy way to determine how much insulation exists is by comparing the level to the surrounding joists. If the insulation is below or level with the joists, then more insulation in needed.

Read This Before You Insulate Your Attic

Replace the Furnace Filter
To ensure that your furnace runs efficiently through our long winter, make sure that the filter is free from dust and debris. A furnace with a dirty filter will have to work harder; using more gas and electricity and ultimately be less efficient. A furnace filter should be changed out every three months, though one that is in constant use should be checked every month. Filters also help filter out airborne allergens that can affect the household, so ensuring they are clean will keep both your home and family healthy.

Replace Weather Stripping
Another good way to ensure that the heat doesn’t escape your home is to replace old or worn weather stripping around doors and windows. Replacing the weather stripping can potentially be an extended home improvement project, depending on how many areas are involved. Windows and doors have the potential to lose hundreds of dollars of heat (or cold) a year, so it is important to have stripping that will protect the seams of these areas.

How to Replace Weather Stripping

Insulate Exposed Plumbing
If you have experienced at least one harsh winter in your Edmonton home, chances are you have already insulated your exposed indoor plumbing. This is extremely important in the dead of winter when the outside temperatures go below freezing. A frozen pipe can crack or burst; not just damaging the plumbing system, but the home itself.

Benefits of Pipe Insulation

Early fall DIY maintenance is key in keeping your home safe from all the pitfalls of a traditional Edmonton winter. Take a weekend to go through this checklist and make the repairs and improvements necessary for maximum security and energy-efficiency. Remember that the experts at Always Plumbing & Heating can help if you need professional heating maintenance or any plumbing or HVAC related needs throughout the fall. Call us at 780-489-8118 (Edmonton) or 587-601-1253 (Fort McMurray) to schedule an appointment today!

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Winter Duct Maintenance in Edmonton

Winter in Edmonton means keeping the house closed up and the central heating on for several months. The constant use of the furnace or boiler in your closed home can be detrimental to your indoor air quality (IAQ). Unlike the summer, when cooler morning temperatures allow for some open window ventilation, the Edmonton winter is too cold for outdoor air. To help insure your home is free from allergens and airborne toxins for the next few months, it is important to inspect your air ducts. Keeping them clean and free from leaks not only contributes to a healthier IAQ, but also generates better energy efficiency. An annual Inspection of your ducts will help catch problems before they become large issues, ultimately saving you money in repair work and keeping service inspections to a minimum.

Are you ready for some DIY winter air duct maintenance?

Equipment:

screwdriver
flashlight
window cleaner
towels
multi-purpose foil tape and/or silicone caulk

Main Unit Ducts:

Our maintenance begins with the main HVAC unit in the home, usually located in the basement or storage space. It contains large ducts that are connected to the branch ducts running throughout your house. These large ducts perform two separate functions; one side of the system forces air through the interior branch ducts while the other side pulls air in. This ensures that the air in your home is circulating efficiently. Check for leaks by turning on the unit and feeling around the exposed ducts for escaping air. The majority of leaks happen around the seams and angled areas. Check the ducts for leaks by holding a couple of sheets of toilet paper close to the places where air might be escaping. If the tissue blows away from, or sticks to, the area – you have a leak.

Leak Repair:

A minor duct leak can be easily repaired, especially if caught while the opening is still relatively small. When you find a leak, make sure that area around it is free from dust and grime. After it has been cleaned and is dry, use the foil tape to cover the opening. Aluminum foil repair tape works best on flat surfaces or on duct seams. There are some instances (such as a leak on an angled duct) where caulk might be a better solution.

How to Seal Ductwork with Foil Tape

Branch Ducts:

Our next focus is on the exposed branch ducts which can usually be found in the attic, crawlspace or basement. These ducts are covered with insulation and should be inspected for dampness, mold and torn or unprotected areas. Wet or moldy insulation would suggest blockage within your duct system. If you are comfortable disassembling the ducts, find the nearest connection point to the damp area and clean it out. If you can’t clean the area yourself, schedule an HAVC professional to check out the blockage and have the entire system serviced.

Always Plumbing & Heating Duct Cleaning

Heat Registers/Vent Grilles:

Heat registers and vent grilles are spread throughout your home. Registers generally have louvres (adjustable slats) attached help control the flow of air, while grilles have fixed covers. Registers are used to distribute the warm or cool conditioned air and are directly on the floor or the upper half of a wall. To check the registers, unscrew and remove the vents so you can investigate the duct interior with a flashlight. Check for high accumulations of dust, debris and mold. The grilles are used to help circulate the air and have fixed covers, but you should take a flashlight and check their duct interiors as well. If you spot anything out of the ordinary in either area, you should have your ducts inspected by a professional.

Keeping your ductwork running efficiently is a good way to ensure your IAQ is healthy all winter long. After you have run through our checklist and feel that professional repair or cleaning is in order, give us a call. Always Plumbing & Heating offers complete ductwork services in addition to several IAQ solutions for Edmonton homes with indoor air concerns. Call us today at 740-489-8118 to schedule an appointment with an HVAC professional.

THE IMPORTANCE OF INDOOR AIR QUALITY

Book your furnace and boiler maintenance inspection today for efficient home heating in Edmonton . Call Always Plumbing & Heating at 780-489-8118 or contact us online .

Prepare Your Furnace for Winter and Save on Home Heating in Edmonton

In just a few months, many of us will be pulling out our winter gear and preparing our homes for the cold winter weather. To ensure you and your family enjoy uncompromising comfort as the cold weather sets in, it’s wise to make sure your furnace and boiler are operational and safe. The last thing you want to happen is to power up your furnace on the first day of winter only to realize that it isn’t working. Having a professional HVAC technician perform a maintenance check on your system will help keep it working efficiently and at top-performing levels.

Furnace and Boiler Maintenance To Do List for Efficient Home Heating in Edmonton

If you have an older furnace and boiler, it’s important to take certain measures to improve the overall performance of your system.

Unclutter your furnace room. Did you know that you could potentially start a fire by keeping cardboard boxes or paint cans close to your furnace and boiler? If your system has an open flame, any combustible items in close proximity can go up in flames and cause significant damage to your home. Always remember to keep the area tidy.
A rule of thumb is to replace your furnace filter every three to four months. Neglecting to do so can cause your furnace to overheat and breakdown. Once your filter is full of debris and dust, the furnace will not be able to heat your home properly. The size of your filter will depend on the size of your furnace, so be sure to review your equipment manual before changing your filter.
Clean your floor vents to help maintain healthy air quality and energy efficiency in your home. If the vents are dirty and clogged with dust and other debris such as pet hair and food scraps, the heat will not be able to move unrestricted through the vents. This will force you to increase the temperature on your thermostat, which will also increase your energy usage and costs.
Having your equipment annually serviced by a company that specializes in home heating in Edmonton means your equipment will be safe and reliable to operate. A technician will clean the combustion chamber; inspect the fuel pipe; check for any leaks or dangerous gases; replace the oil filter; change the air filter; and test the efficiency of your system.

Contact Us for Furnace Repair & Boiler Maintenance in Edmonton

If you have noticed unusually high utility bills, or you feel as though your home isn’t quite as warm as you would like it to be, call Always Plumbing & Heating. Our technicians are fully equipped and certified to inspect your furnace and boiler, diagnose the issue, and provide you with recommendations or repairs. We offer a range of heating, cooling and plumbing services, as well as top-brand thermostats to help ensure you and your family have total home comfort at all times.

Book your furnace and boiler maintenance inspection today for efficient home heating in Edmonton. Call Always Plumbing at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.

The Importance of Well-Maintained Air Intakes on Your Home

Your home’s furnace relies on the process of combustion using outside air. That is why your home is equipped with air intake pipes on the outside. There are two types of intakes. Fresh Air Supplies oxygen from the outdoors into your home which we breathe and reduces chances of having sick building syndrome. The other is a combustion air intake which supplies oxygen the furnace which your furnace breathes and uses the combustion the natural gas.

For safety reasons, you not only need to make sure you never block your air intakes, but also that they are cleaned to avoid any back drafting.

Maintaining Your Air Intake

You need clean air to freely move through your furnace. To properly do so, follow these tips:

Identify the Intake – When your furnace is running, go outside to your vents or hoods. You will notice several vents located in the same area – one is often the intake, the exhaust and a dryer vent. You can identify the intake just by feeling which vent is sucking air into the house. Also an intake will have a screen on the vent, which prevents leaves, grass and animals making a home inside as well.
Identify the Exhaust – Make sure your dryer is not running, but your furnace is. Then, feel in front of the vents to see which is letting air out.
Keep Airflow Intakes and Exhausts Clear – Once you know which vents on the exterior of your home are the intake and exhaust, you must keep them clear. Never place patio furniture, storage items, etc. in front of these vents. Without proper airflow, your furnace will not function properly. Without proper ways to remove contaminated air. Also, newer models of furnaces have automatic shutdown features. If they are not getting the air they need, they will automatically turn off to preserve their components but also prevent any contaminated air from being pushed back into the home.

If you suspect your home is not receiving proper airflow or you have noticed your furnace keeps kicking on and off, you may have an issue with your intake or exhaust vents and are in need of furnace repair in Edmonton. Always Plumbing & Heating in Edmonton offers service and maintenance appointments for furnaces from all manufacturers. We will not only make sure your unit is efficient, but safe with the proper airflow. Give us a call at 780-489-8118 or contact us online.